Two given Twickenham ban for homophobic abuse of referee Nigel Owens during England v New Zealand

Two people have been banned from Twickenham for two years after being found to have aimed homophobic abuse at referee Nigel Owens. They will also pay £1,000 each to a charity of his choice.

The Welsh official, who is openly gay, was targeted by supporters during England’s 24-21 defeat by New Zealand at Twickenham on Nov 8.

The matter first came to light when a spectator wrote a letter to The Guardian highlighting the abuse.

Owens subsequently told Telegraph Sport that supporters should be issued with stadium bans in cases where allegations of homophobic abuse are proven.

“If someone has gone to the trouble to send a letter to the paper and say that this was disgusting and the behaviour was totally out of order, then I would think what they shouted was pretty bad and if that is the case then these people should be banned from the game,” he said. “They need to be told that some behaviour is not acceptable, that crossing the line of what is humour and banter is a fine line, but if you cross it then you have to put up with the consequences.”

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Ian Ritchie, chief executive of the Rugby Football Union, said: “While instances of this nature are exceptionally rare, the RFU takes rugby’s values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship very seriously, and is determined to uphold them. We are all guardians of these aspects of the game, on and off the pitch, and it is these values which make the sport special.”